Content
Despite its Chinese origin, the Black Dragon tomato feels great when grown in Russia. Suitable for growing in open or protected ground. Gives a good harvest, despite the compact size of the plant.
History of appearance
The Black Dragon variety is the result of the work of Chinese breeders. Despite its foreign origin, the variety is popular among Russian summer residents for its unpretentiousness and good harvest.
Description and characteristics of tomato Black Dragon F1
Black dragon is a determinate bush, reaching a height of 1-1.5 m. The shoots are strong, they form 8-10 clusters with trusses of 6-10 tomatoes. The foliage is bluish-green. Internodes are shortened.
The fruits are shaped like elongated cream, with a pointed nose. On average, the weight of one tomato is no more than 30 g, some tomatoes reach 60 g.
The pulp of the Black Dragon tomato is moderately juicy, fleshy and dense, the skin does not crack, is durable and glossy
The optimal sugar level for tomatoes is 4-5%. The taste characteristics of the tomato are excellent - sweet fruits, with a slight tomato sourness.
The color after full ripening is red-brown, when unripe it is purple with green spots. The fruits boast a huge content of anthocyanins and lycopene.
When it ripens
Tomatoes of this variety are classified as mid-season varieties. After germination, the crop is harvested on day 100-105.
Black Dragon tomato yield
On average, you can harvest up to 4-4.5 kg of tomatoes from one bush. Accordingly, from 1 sq. m this figure is up to 9 kg.
In tomato beds, it is important to promptly remove weeds that attract pests.
Resistance to adverse factors
Black Dragon tomatoes tolerate high temperatures and long periods of drought. They can withstand a decrease in temperature for a long time without losing the ovary and formed fruits.
Where is it grown?
Black Dragon tomatoes are suitable for growing in open ground and under cover. They do equally well in warmer and cooler regions.
Purpose and application
Tomatoes of the Black Dragon variety are suitable for fresh consumption and canning. They are often used to decorate dishes due to their highly decorative characteristics. Suitable for drying. They can be used to make juice, sauces, and tomato paste.
Advantages and disadvantages
In addition to excellent aesthetic and taste qualities, Black Dragon tomatoes have many other advantages.
Tomatoes are 95% water
Pros:
- versatility of use, fruits can be canned, eaten fresh, prepared in ketchups, pastes, and even dried;
- high productivity;
- due to the high density of the peel, the tomatoes do not crack;
- resistance to heat and drought;
- easy to transport;
- withstands low air temperatures well;
- resistance to diseases.
Minuses:
- bushes require gartering and pinching;
- formation is necessary, preferably in two stems.
Landing scheme and rules
Tomatoes are planted in a permanent place of growth, 3-4 seedlings per 1 square meter. m. The main thing is to maintain a distance of 40 cm between plants on all sides.
First, dig holes up to 25-30 cm deep and place the following on the bottom:
- compost;
- superphosphate;
- wood ash.
The soil under the bushes must be loosened regularly, which helps destroy pest larvae
Care Tips
Sowing of seeds lasts from March to April, depending on the growing region. Tomatoes are demanding on the quality of the soil; it must be fertile.
The seeds are immersed in the ground 2 cm, with a distance of 3 cm from each other. Until the first shoots appear, the plants are kept under film or glass. The air temperature should not fall below +24-25 OWITH.
During the active formation of tomatoes, it is recommended to add magnesium sulfate to the root zone. And when the tomatoes begin to ripen, it is necessary to regularly remove old foliage.
Treatment against diseases and pests
Despite the high resistance of Black Dragon tomatoes to diseases, it recommends taking preventive measures to prevent the development of diseases and the appearance of insects that are characteristic of tomatoes.
The most common disease is late blight. To prevent problems from occurring, be sure to mulch the soil. You can also use a folk remedy, which will require:
- 10 liters of water;
- 1 liter of fresh milk;
- 25 drops of iodine.
All components are mixed and sprayed on the bushes twice a month.
During harvesting, it is necessary to inspect the plant. With late blight, the foliage becomes dark brown, the stems turn brown, and fuzzy spots appear on the fruit.
If the bush is severely damaged, treatment with the herbal medicine Fitosporin-M is urgently required.
Blossom rot is the second most common problem. Occurs due to calcium deficiency. The first thing that helps prevent its occurrence is mulching the soil. Accordingly, this procedure helps reduce the risk of two problems at once - late blight and blossom end rot.
In addition, it is recommended to add calcium supplements during the growing season. It is important to pay attention to the initial composition of the soil. On sandy soils, calcium is quickly washed away. This also occurs against the background of increased amounts of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
Stimulate the absorption of calcium by plants with preparations containing boron and fluorine
The most common pests of tomatoes are the Colorado potato beetle, slugs and mole crickets. They not only damage the crop, but also reduce the bush’s immunity.
The easiest way to deal with naked slugs is to sprinkle the ground around the beds with red pepper, eggshells or sawdust. A mixture of eggshells and sunflower oil will help against mole crickets.
After harvesting, the soil must be dug up and all pest nests destroyed.
The Colorado potato beetle and its larvae will have to be collected by hand. The soil should also be cleaned.
If one bush is sick, then it is better not to risk it, dig it up and burn it to save other plants
Conclusion
The Black Dragon tomato is the creation of Chinese breeders, which grows well and bears fruit in the Russian Federation. Tomatoes have excellent immunity; they tolerate heat and drought well. They have a pleasant taste and a bizarre shape and color.
Reviews from summer residents about the tomato Black Dragon F1
